{A Little Fondue Fun}

For Valentine's Day we've sorta started a tradition of going to the Melting Pot with friends.  This was actually our third year going.  In case you've never had the sheer pleasure of sampling some of their delicious fare, you are truly missing out.  It is so good and it's a lot of fun to go with a crowd.  I think this is what makes it so good.  We've commented a couple of times that it wouldn't be nearly as fun if it were just us.  Anywho, this year we had four couples and let me tell you, we were all a little giddy to be at the Melting Pot and out of the house without our children.  Not that we don't adore our children, but it sure is nice to enjoy a good meal when it's still warm and I don't have to worry about wearing that meal {Cameron has been known on more than one occasion to throw his food at you}.  Anyways, it's a four course meal.  We started with our cheese fondue, which is to die for, then moved onto salad, then comes the meat and a million little sauces and to really just top of your night you finish with some heavenly chocolate.

 Waiting for our various meats to cook...

 We were a little anxious to eat so I kinda forgot to take pictures until it was mostly gone... but we had filet mignon, sirloin, lobster, shrimp, duck, chicken and ravioli.  I think that's all.

Scott and Heather

 Brad and Sheila

 Andrew and Me... not really sure what he was laughing at.

Abe and Andrea

 Can you tell that we were all a little excited to be there?  Thanks for a great evening everyone.

Oh and I almost forgot, funny story about that night... our poor twelve year old babysitter who had all three munchkins and will probably never come back again had an interesting night to say the least.  The power went out, so of course the munchkins freaked out {this was made even worse since it interrupted Beauty and the Beast}.  Of course I didn't tell her where any flashlights were because who really thinks about that and really the only reason I knew the power went out is because one of our friends babysitter called them asking for a flashlight.  So I had to call her dad and tell him where to tell her to look for a flashlight.  Then on top of that Missy Ashlynn had a blowout while the power was out and she didn't want to take her bottle, so she was pretty fussy... I still don't think I got the full story on how upset she was cause I know how worked up she gets when she's hungry.  Then one of our neighbors brought candles over and knocked on the door, but someone knocking on the door just freaked everyone out even more.  Fortunately, this poor girls mom came over and helped calm our munchkins down until we could get home.  I felt really bad for her, but it really is kinda funny to think about now.

{Random Munchkin Pics}

Here's a few random pics of the munchkins for their grandma's, grandpa's, aunts, uncles and cousins.  

 Look at this cutie

 Kinda funny how quickly her smile gets turned upside down

 Bedtime stories

 I love my baby girl

 I think Cameron enjoyed his chocolate pudding

 My goodness!  He looks so old in this picture.

This kid is so stinkin' photogenic

 Enjoying one of the few decent days outside

 Hehe... she spied me taking pictures from upstairs

 This girl loves the snow...

 Her daddy tries to convince her it's bad...

 But, she's not buying it.

Oh how I love these munchkins!!!

Cabin Fever

For the last three weeks, we've been trapped at home due to this nasty cold that's been going around.  And I've gotta be honest, I don't think my munchkins will ever be healthy again.  Andrew was the first to get it and he had it for what seemed like an eternity a week and a half.  Unfortunately, my little man caught it next and had it for about a week.  He seemed to be better and I thought the rest of us or as Miss Ella calls us "the girls" would be spared, but no, we wouldn't be so lucky.  Ella got a mild case of it a couple days later and then my poor poor baby got it.  Missy Ashlynn has had it by far the worst of the three munchkins.  It's been about a week and a half now and she's still coughing a little, but seems to be almost completely better.  Of course when they are that small there is nothing that you can give them to help except some saline drops {which in my opinion, don't seem to help a whole lot}.  On the bright side though she was sleeping great.  Oh and now that Missy Ashlynn is just about better Cameron has decided to go for round two.  The coughing is awful and I can't keep up with the runny nose... poor little guy.  So between the sick munchkins, the mountain of laundry that comes with the sick munchkins and the need to constantly be holding a sick munchkin, I haven't done a darn thing lately.  The toy room is sitting in shambles, the laundry room looks like an explosion took place and my library book {that I've checked out for the second time now} is sitting on my nightstand half finished and due back in two days and I'm just way too tired to clean one extra thing or even attempt to finish reading my book even though I'm very much enjoying this book.  Oh the joys of mommyhood...

I did manage to make a fun treat for Valentine's Day though.  Homemade Oreos... mmm mmm mmmm.

I got this really yummy recipe from The Sister's Cafe

Enjoy!

 

Ashlynn's Baby Blessing Pics

On January 16th we had Ashlynn's baby blessing.  We were lucky enough to have family members from both sides.  My mom, sister - Caitlin, sisters boyfriend - Brian, Grandma & Grandpa Challman and Aunt Alicia were able to come from my side.  On Andrew's side we had his dad, sister - Emily and brother - Zach.  Andrew gave a beautiful blessing.  Ashlynn of course was her usual happy and beautiful baby self.  Here are a few pictures I was able to get of her after church:

Oh how I love those eyes and lips

Look at those rolls...

Family picture

How'd I Do... January Goals

Let's take a quick look at how my goals went for January...

January Goals:

Homemaking-

Finish cleaning up Christmas decor

Finalize decorating plans for toy room - I think it's gonna look really cute.  I just need to find the motivation to actually carry out my plans.

Clean house and prepare for guests

Cooking-

Try three new recipes - Garlic Cheddar Chicken (Yummy!!!), Chicken Cordon Bleu (This was delish!!!  I actually used provolone cheese instead of swiss since I already had it.  It was the best Chicken Cordon Bleu I've ever had), the third wasn't an actual recipe really... instead of making rice and black bean tacos we made rice and black bean quesadillas which were really good.

Organize freezers - Unfortunately, I didn't get around to this... this will be high on my list for February.

Mothering-

Practice having more patience

Read stories at least once a day

Do a munchkin craft once a week

Creating-

Finish sewing curtains for the nursery - Grrr... I really really need to get this done.

Make at least three hair bows - I didn't get three made, but I got two made... close enough if you ask me.

Financing-

Save half the cost of new desk

Spend $300 on groceries this month

Enriching-

Go back to the gym this month - The week that I planned on going back Andrew was sick and couldn't watch the   munchkins and then the next week Cameron was sick... sooo, February it is.

Start a personal scripture study routine - Didn't happen.

Read a book - I started reading "The Happiness Project", but didn't finish because the book was due back at the library and I couldn't renew... I did however check it out again and plan on finishing it in February.

Blog once a week

Now onto February's goals:

Homemaking-

Decorate the toy room

Finish decorating the munchkins room

Add finishing touches to living room

Cooking-

Try three new recipes

Clean out freezer

Mix up a large batch of cookie dough and freeze into individual balls 

Mothering- 

Continue practicing patience

Go to the library at least twice this month

Involve Ella and Cameron in the kitchen when cooking

Creating-

Finish sewing nursery curtains

Paint and hang beadboard picture frames for munchkins room

Sew something for Valentine's Day... not sure what I want to make just yet

Financing-

Purchase new desk for front room

Make a list detailing how to allocate this months household budget to stay within my budget

Enriching-

Blog once a week

Go back to the gym

Read a book

Get together with the girls for a craft night